The Founder’s Notes

China's economic rise and influence have been one of the most significant developments in the global economy of recent times. A driving force behind this expansion has been the private entrepreneurs and companies of China, some of which have literally redefined the economic and business landscape, both inside and outside of China. Dong Mingzhu is one such entrepreneur. Gree Electric is one of the powerhouses of the air-conditioning industry, and owes its success to the entrepreneurial and management tenacity of Dong. As a young widow, aged 36, she travelled south and began work at Gree as an ordinary salesperson. Four years later, in 1994, she became head of sales. By 1996, she was deputy president, and by 2001, president of Gree. During this time, Dong challenged and transformed industry norms through her innovations in sales, service and employee policies. This is the story of one of China's most inspiring and innovative business leaders.

China’s economic rise and influence has been one of the most significant developments in the global economy of recent times. A driving force behind this expansion has been the private entrepreneurs and companies of China, some of which have literally redefined the economic and business landscape, both inside and outside of China.Ren Zhengfei is one such entrepreneur, who has become one of China’s most revered and inspiring business leaders. His company Huawei Technologies, which was founded in 1987, is today a world-leading supplier of telecommunications equipment and mobile phones that employs over 150,000 people around the world. Low profile and known for his down-to-earth nature, Ren is hugely popular in China. This book tells the story of how he turned Huawei into one of the world’s most recognized business brands and the much admired management philosophy behind its success.

The book is about the history of Natuzzi, Italy's largest furniture house. Founded back in 1959 by Pasquale Natuzzi - current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - in a small village in the South of Italy, Natuzzi is today among the largest players in its sector, with seven manufacturing plants, twelve commercial offices and more than 1200 points of sale worldwide. This book tracks the history of the company, using stories and anecdotes collected through interviews and reading the house organ magazine and the press releases since 1990. The beauty of the company's history lies in putting its social ethical mission at its heart since the beginning while still adopting industrial techniques.